East Orange during its first 100 years, 1863 to 1963, with some emphasis on Stockton School and its surrounding neighborhoods. "Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember." Oscar Levant

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Central Avenue in the Early 20th Century

Unlike the oldest roads in the area like Main Street, Central Avenue was laid out in the 1860's and the rapidly increasing density and wealth of the local population at that time allowed the developers to create a wide, straight avenue. When major retailers from New York City followed the increasing wealth to open branch stores on Central Avenue in the first half of the 20th century the street would be compared favorably to 5th Avenue in Manhattan.